Insane thoughts when I’m at my sanest…
As I’ve mentioned a few times lately, I am in a really good place right now. I feel normal, I feel capable. Its been weeks, or even months, since I’ve lain in a heap on my bed weeping for reasons beyond my understanding. Its been weeks, or even months, since I’ve sat and stared off into nothing, only to realize on my next glance at the clock that four hours have gone by. I’ve been sleeping and eating like a normal person: food has taste and I can even consume it in normal quantities.
Every time I spend a few months feeling this way, I start to wonder if perhaps I’m cured. I’d love a cure for this thing that I deal with, I’d love to wake up one day and feel about it the way you feel about getting over the common cold: Thank the Lord that’s over!
And every time I start to wonder if I’m cured … I start to wonder if perhaps I should take another go at this life un-medicated. I start to wonder if perhaps my brain has re-wired itself and that I don’t need to take medications at all any more.
The reason I tend to think this way is because when I was initially diagnosed, it was with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and I was told that I may outgrow it. I was hopeful as a teenager because I never wanted to be crazy for the rest of my life.
But now I’m nearing 23, and I have to say that I think less and less that I may outgrow my issues.
My mother and I have taken up riding bicycles in an effort to pretend that we are fitness enthusiasts. We’ve been biking for a day or two now and I have to say that being out in the fresh air, with the sun beating down on my back has lifted my spirits substantially.
I’ve heard people say that it is possible to regulate some mild forms of depression with exercise and diet. I’m skeptical. However, considering I am on the highest dose alloweable of my medication, I have to say that I’m willing to try a continuation of exercise in hopes of lowering the amount of drugs coursing through my veins.
I’m only at the thinking about it stage right now. As I’ve said, I’m in a good place and I really don’t want anything to mess that up, but at the same time, I’m desperate to see if I can maybe change my lifestyle and see if it has an effect on my mental health.
Anyone here have any experiences with this?
May 8th, 2007 at 9:18 am
It seems like almost nothing works ALL the time, but some things that I really think are worth trying are:
-excercise (like you said)
-spending more time outside near trees and other green (this has actually been shown to lower anxiety and also ADHD symptoms)
-breathing exercises (Have you ever tried breathing exercises to deal with anxiety? I recommend you start very, very slowly. When I first started I found I couldn’t take more than one or two deep breaths without having a panic attack. But you can slowly build up and change the way your body acts.)
-cut way down on sugar and caffeine consumption (this makes a difference for both anxiety and depression)
-progress muscle relaxation (lots of info on this online)
-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I cannot say enough about this for the treatment of OCD.)
OK - That’s sort of a huge list of ideas! I have had good luck with all of these, but most of them take time (no instant results). I also am going to start doing yoga and meditation, but I’m not there yet. I think all these things are worth a try for increasing general well-being and also possibly making it feasible to reduce dosages.
It’s so great that you’re in a good period right now. I hope it lasts a long, long time.
May 8th, 2007 at 9:20 am
It seems like almost nothing works ALL the time, but some things that I really think are worth trying are:
-excercise (like you said)
-spending more time outside near trees and other green (this has actually been shown to lower anxiety and also ADHD symptoms)
-breathing exercises (Have you ever tried breathing exercises to deal with anxiety? I recommend you start very, very slowly. When I first started I found I couldn’t take more than one or two deep breaths without having a panic attack. But you can slowly build up and change the way your body acts.)
-cut way down on sugar and caffeine consumption (this makes a difference for both anxiety and depression)
-progress muscle relaxation (lots of info on this online)
-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I cannot say enough about this for the treatment of OCD.)
OK - That’s sort of a huge list of ideas! I have had good luck with all of these, but most of them take time (no instant results). I also am going to start doing yoga and meditation, but I’m not there yet. I think all these things are worth a try for both increasing general well-being and possibly making it feasible to reduce dosages.
It’s so great that you’re in a good period right now. I hope it lasts a long, long time.